Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, a US-based lawyer and Sikh activist, is a key leader in the Khalistan movement, which advocates for a separate Sikh state called Khalistan.
Pannun, the chief of the banned US-based Sikhs for Justice (SFJ) outfit, has been on the radar of Indian authorities. He faces accusations of playing a primary role in advocating and commissioning terror acts. His threats and intimidation strategies have spread fear and terror in Punjab and other parts of India. Non-bailable warrants of arrest were issued against him, and he was declared a “Proclaimed Offender.”
Gurpatwant’s organization, Sikhs for Justice (SFJ), has been labeled as a terrorist outfit by Indian authorities. Pannun himself is an India-designated terrorist wanted for promoting terrorism and secessionism.
His goal is to create a separate Sikh state, known as Khalistan, by breaking away the Indian state of Punjab and neighboring Indian regions. Gurpatwant Singh Pannun has filed lawsuits against Indian officials for alleged human rights violations against Sikhs. However, contrarily, Pannun releases provocative videos and threats against India, time and again, prompting the Indian government to seek an Interpol red notice for him.
Terror Threats Issued by Gurpatwant Singh Pannun
Gurpatwant Singh Pannun threatened to attack the Indian Parliament on or before December 13. This threat emerged after he alleged that Indian agencies’ plot to kill him had failed. Notably, December 13 marks the 22nd anniversary of the 2001 Parliament attack by terrorists. In a video featuring a poster of the convicted Parliament attack conspirator Afzal Guru, Pannun vowed to respond by targeting the Parliament. Security agencies were on high alert, and the Delhi Police stepped up security measures around Parliament
Earlier, coinciding with the 2023 Cricket World Cup finals in India, Khalistani terrorist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun released a video on social media, warning people planning to travel via Air India on November 19.
His message was direct: “Don’t fly via Air India on November 19, or your life will be in danger.” Pannun further claimed that Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International (IGI) Airport would remain shut on that day, coinciding with the final match of the ongoing cricket World Cup. He emphasized a global blockade against Air India flights. The threat issued by Pannun brought back the horrific memories of the Air India Flight 182 (Kanishka) tragedy.
Air India Flight 182 (Kanishka) tragedy
On June 23, 1985, a devastating event unfolded in the skies over the Atlantic Ocean. Air India Flight 182, a Boeing 747-237B passenger jet, was en route from Montreal to London, Delhi, and Bombay. Tragically, it disintegrated mid-flight due to a powerful explosion caused by a bomb. The consequences were catastrophic: all 329 people on board lost their lives. Among the victims were 268 Canadian citizens, 27 British citizens, and 24 Indian citizens.
This incident remains etched in history as the deadliest terrorist attack in Canada and the worst aviation disaster involving an Air India flight. The masterminds behind this act of terror were Canadian Sikh separatists of Babbar Khalsa International (BKI), including Inderjit Singh Reyat and Talwinder Singh Parmar. Their actions not only shattered families but also left a lasting impact on international relations and aviation security. Air India Flight 182 serves as a somber reminder of the devastating consequences of terrorism on innocent lives.
Babbar Khalsa International (BKI)
BKI is a Khalistani militant organization, founded in April 1978, drawing inspiration from the Babbar Akali Movement of 1920 that fiercely opposed British colonial rule in India. It emerged after clashes with the religious Nirankari sect of Sikhs. BKI’s central goal was to create an independent Sikh state called Khalistan, carved out of Punjab and neighboring regions.
During the 1980s, BKI played a pivotal role in the Punjab insurgency. In June 1985, Babbar Khalsa gained international notoriety by orchestrating the Air India Flight 182 bombing—a tragedy that claimed 329 civilian lives (mostly Canadians). Simultaneously, Babbar Khalsa International attempted another bombing at Narita International Airport on a second Air India flight.
Beyond India, BKI began operating in North America and Europe, including Scandinavia. Governments worldwide had officially designated Babbar Khalsa as an international terrorist organization. These designations span countries such as the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, the European Union, Japan, Malaysia, and, of course, India.
The Alleged Plot To Kill Pannun On US Soil
Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, a dual US-Canadian citizen and vocal supporter of the Khalistan movement is believed to have significant ties with Babbar Khalsa International. And his organization, the unlawful association called Sikh for Justice (SFJ) actively advocates for a separate Sikh state.
Recently, The US government claimed it foiled an assassination plot against Gurpatwant Singh Pannun. It said the plot involved an Indian government official, known as CC-1, who allegedly arranged to kill Pannun on US soil. A 52-year-old Indian national, Nikhil Gupta, was charged in connection with the foiled assassination plot.
According to the US, Nikhil Gupta played a central role in the conspiracy. He reportedly paid a staggering $100,000 in cash to a hitman to assassinate Gurpatwant Singh Pannun. However, the hitman turned out to be an undercover federal agent, and the plot unraveled. Gupta was arrested by Czech authorities on June 30, 2023, pursuant to the bilateral extradition treaty between the United States and the Czech Republic.
Currently held in Prague pending extradition procedures to the US, Nikhil Gupta purportedly communicated his involvement in international narcotics and weapons trafficking while conversing with the undercover federal agent. His family filed a petition in India, seeking his release and a fair trial. Gupta’s family also alleges illegal detention, solitary confinement, and religious dietary violations. However, the Supreme Court declined to intervene, citing international law and sovereignty.
India-US Tensions Over The Alleged Assassination Plot
As diplomatic tensions between India and the US began brewing over this alleged assassination plot against Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, Prime Minister Narendra Modi publicly addressed the issue, stating that India would investigate any evidence provided. However, the investigation into this alleged murder-for-hire conspiracy remains ongoing.
Wikipedia Page on Gurpatwant Singh Pannun